The Democratic advocate., 1887-11-26
VIVA. Can be Done for westminster.


minister have at times discussed ways anu
means to enlarge our little city and Increase
the population. Westminster is steadily gro"
ing, but the progress is slow, and scarcely ap-
preeiabe to our citizens. A walk about town
will show ample evidence in the NUMBER Q.
new houses that are put up every year, al .,
which are occupied, while there are ie" oi
the old ones vacant. =,
Public meetings have been held, with inc
object of inducing manufacturing interests -
locate here; to build town hall and market
house, but nothing, except the market nouse'
has come of these gatherings. Town meet
ings, as a rule, are valueless for such purpo-
ses. They are too often conducted by men
who have neither capital nor time to give 10
public enterprises, and are directed without
judgment
Manufacturers generally select point where
there are competing lines of railroad, whicn
Westminster cannot boast; and there seems
but little hope of inducing enterprises at otner
places to remove to Westminster. II manu-
factories are TO be established here, the
movement must be made by our owa people.
But there is a way to increase the business,
population and taxable basis of Westminster,
and without much trouble, if our citizens Will
interest themselves to that end. The short
distance from Baltimore, advantages OF ell
mate, and freedom from malaria and mosqui-
toes, make this desirable place for summer
residence, and there is no reason why west
minister should not have distinctly summer
hotel and three or four hundred visitors dur
ing three or four months Of the year, while
many Baltimoreans might be induced TO
build here and reside permanently.
The unreasonable hours of trains and slow
time on the Western Maryland Railroad are
two great barriers now to the accomplishment
of these purposes. About a year ago the
Railroad Company granted the same induce
ments to settlers at Westminster that were
given to Glyndon and other points nearer
Baltimore. They were, in brefi, rebate OF
one half in freight rates on building material,
whether bought here or brought over the
road from other points; and the granting OF q
free pass over the road between Westminster
and Baltimore for one year for every $1,000
invested in a dwelling, up to $4,000. This
is liberal offer, but the contract to do so
expires on January lst, next. This contract
was given in the descriptive and illustrated
book on Westminster issued last winter by the
proprietors of the DEMOCRATIC ADVOCATE,
and two parties, that we know of, considered
seriously of building here and availing them
selves of the inducements. But the running
of the trains is the barrier.
The Western Maryland Railroad Company
is a liberal one, and no doubt would run
trains to suit, both as to hours and speed, if
the matter were properly laid before them.
If we mistake not, President Hood has so ex-
pressed himself. In summer time the regular
schedule we have had for several years is
quite satisfactory, but 6.37 clock is too early
in the morning about eight months in year,
and two hours and eight minutes is too pokey
a rate for a passenger train carrying men to
their places of business. An hour train,
leaving here about 7.30 in the morning is what
is needed, if we are to induce Baltimoreans to
reside here permanently. Or it might be an
hour and quarter train, making not over
four or five stops.
During last summer some five or six bus-
ness men of Baltimore resided here with their
families, but all have gone except one, and
he only returns on Saturdays to spend Sun
day with his family. He would like to reside
here permanently, but unless some better ar
rangement is made in the running of trains,
he will likely leave in the spring when the lease
of his dwelling expires, and go to some more
convenient point.
When railroad facilities are once secured
there will be no trouble in inducing Baltl-
moreans 10 move out to Westminster, and
these facilities, we feel sure, can be obtained
conditionally to be given upon the guarantee
of a certain number of regular passengers.
In other words. we feel sure that President
Hood will make a contract to give proper
railroad facilities as soon as sufficient num-
ber of persons will come here to warrant the
extension of facilities. The contract can be
obtained at any time, so that whoever under
takes to induce Baltimoreaus to move to this
city can have a copy of the contract as a
guarantee to settlers that trains at suitable
hours and suitable speed will be run.
As to distinctly summer hotel, our own
citizens could readily build and operate it.
Winchester Place." the home of Col. Nc
Kellip, can be purchased for the purpose.
All know its advantages of location, of its
natural beauty, and of its mineral water.
The owner will sell at fair price, and will
take considerable amount of stock in a sum
mer hotel. A hotel could be put up of sufficient
size to accommodate one hundred visitors,
and it could be enlarged from time to time as
the patronage demanded. The Blue Nouns
tain House is paying investment. II that
resort pays, why would not one at West
minister, not more than half the distance from
Baltimore. The rates there, too, are high.
and hotel here, with rates from five to ten
dollars per week, no doubt would be filled
from the first of June to the first of October
or November.
There can be no doubt that a summer hotel
in Westminster would pay well as an invest
ment, and the visitors woulda spend more or
less money here, and thus increase the volume
of business. There can be no doubt, too,
that proper railroad facilities can be arranged
for, and Baltimore families be induced TO build
and reside here. A large number have taken
up their residences at Glyndon. which has no
attractions as compared with Westminster.
To accomplish these purposes, there must
be some organization. public meeting
would probably result as others have done
in nothing. If hotel company is organized,